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Whether it's a fourth straight decline in the Conference Board's leading economic indicators, a yield of just 3.98% on the 10-year Treasury note, a 500-point drop in the
Dow since mid-September or commentary from some of the nation's largest industrial companies, evidence of a deceleration in growth is mounting.

"A mini-replay of the second-quarter soft patch may be shaping up," said Steven Wieting, an economist at Smith Barney.

Although Wieting cut estimates on fourth-quarter gross domestic product Thursday, he still believes the
Federal Reserve will raise interest rates by more than 100 basis points in 2005, as the economy picks up steam.

"Central Bankers have discussed moving to neutral interest rates, but we expect such moves will be cautious and limited," the firm said in a statement Thursday. "Both moderate economic growth and surplus labor will keep inflation low."

Caterpillar projected that world economic growth will slow to around 3.5% in 2005, from 4% this year. As a result, revenue at the firm is expected to climb just 10% next year, down from a projected 30% jump in 2004.

While Caterpillar posted strong profit and revenue growth in the third quarter, high raw material prices crimped margins and fourth-quarter estimates were not increased, as some had hoped. In response, shares fell almost 4%, or $3.21, to $77.17.

Diversified industrial giant
Ingersoll-Rand (IR - Get Report) also disappointed investors Thursday, despite reporting a 53% jump in earnings during the third quarter. The company said it expects to earn between $1.13 and $1.23 a share in the fourth quarter and between $4.80 and $4.90 for the full year.

According to Thomson First Call, Ingersoll was expected to earn $1.28 in the fourth quarter and $4.90 for the year. The stock fell 3.4%, or $2.34, to $65.76.

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